SKUAST-Jammu Conducts Two-Day Training on Crop Diversification in Udhampur

RAMNAGAR, January 9, 2026 — Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor B.N. Tripathi and the guidance of Director Research S.K. Gupta, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J) successfully concluded a two-day training programme on crop diversification.

Held from January 8 to 9 at the Kisan Khidmat Ghar in Kirmoo, Ramnagar, the initiative was part of a pilot project under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Integrated Farming System (AICRP-IFS).

The programme aimed to educate local farmers on transitioning from traditional rice-wheat cycles to more profitable and sustainable agricultural models.Chief Scientist and Head of AICRP-IFS, A.K. Gupta, welcomed over 40 participating farmers, emphasizing the economic benefits of cultivating diversified crops such as soybean, millets, pulses, and oilseeds.

Expert speakers, including retired professors Dileep Kachroo and N.P. Thakur, encouraged the adoption of an Integrated Farming System (IFS). This approach advocates for incorporating dairy, vermicomposting, mushroom cultivation, and rainwater harvesting to ensure year-round income and mitigate the risks of single-crop failure.

Technical sessions also covered soil health management, vegetable cultivation, and the importance of nutrient and pest management in improving overall farm productivity.The training featured specialized lectures from P. Kumar, Vishal Khajuria, Rakesh Sharma, Vickal Gupta, and Arun Dubey on subjects ranging from organic farming practices to millet production.

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the trainees and a vote of thanks by Dheeraj Rajwal. The successful execution of the programme was supported by the cooperation of Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer Ashwani Kumar Abrol and the dedicated staff of the On-Farm Research center.